Crew and guests of the newly-launched Explorer Dream will experience exceptional SES-powered guest connectivity onboard the 75,000-gross-ton, 2,000-passenger ship. The SES Networks’ solution will also be introduced onboard Genting Dream in September this year, completing the fleet-wide implementation that follows the successful launch of SES Networks’ managed service onboard World Dream, Dream Cruises’ second cruise ship, which debuted in 2017.

The new Explorer Dream will have homeports in Shanghai and Tianjin, as well as Sydney and Auckland later in the year. Its significantly enhanced connectivity will enable guests to chat with friends on WeChat, pick up a bargain on Taobao, or stream high-resolution video on YouKu without interruption or lag. It will also mean that guests can share photos and videos from their trip in real-time across social media, or battle with their friends in League of Legends as easily as they can on land.

SES Networks’ Signature Cruise Solution combines the low latency of its O3b medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellation with a fully managed end-to-end service, backed up by its highly reliable geostationary (GEO) fleet to ensure network resilience. The result is a seamless, high-performance broadband service delivered to everyone onboard the Dream Cruises fleet.

“Today’s cruise passengers demand excellent connectivity even when they are travelling on the high seas. As part of our efforts to provide our guests with the best possible services and amenities on board our ships, we partnered with SES Networks because of their high-speed capability to deliver a terrestrial broadband-like internet experience in some of the most challenging of conditions,” said Thatcher Brown, President at Dream Cruises.

A Dream Cruise has the ability to deliver inspirational voyages at sea that create memories to last a lifetime. A key part of that adventure nowadays is the digital experience. Our Signature Cruise Solution ensures that passengers onboard Explorer Dream – along with World Dream and Genting Dream – will experience the new standard of enhanced guest connectivity,” said Simon Maher, Vice President Global Sales, Cruise Maritime Services at SES Networks. “Because SES Networks and Dream Cruises have shared values around delivering transformational and inspirational experiences at sea, we are incredibly proud to partner with them to enable this level of service.”

SES is the world’s leading satellite operator with over 70 satellites in two different orbits, Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). It provides a diverse range of customers with global video distribution and data connectivity services through two business units: SES Video and SES Networks. SES Video reaches over 355 million TV homes, through Direct-to-Home (DTH) platforms and cable, terrestrial, and IPTV networks globally. The SES Video portfolio includes MX1, a leading media service provider offering a full suite of innovative services for both linear and digital distribution, and the ASTRA satellite system, which has the largest DTH television reach in Europe. SES Networks provides global managed data services, connecting people in a variety of sectors including telecommunications, maritime, aeronautical, and energy, as well as governments and institutions across the world. The SES Networks portfolio includes GovSat, a 50/50 public-private partnership between SES and the Luxembourg government, and O3b, the only non-geostationary system delivering fibre-like broadband services today. Further information is available at: www.ses.com

Established in 1993, Star Cruises is the pioneer in the Asia Pacific cruise industry currently with a fleet of six ships catering to the contemporary market segment. As “The Most Popular Cruise Line in Asia”, Star Cruises will further expand its footprint in the region with the delivery of two new “Global Class” ships, each measuring 201,000 gross tons, in 2020 and 2021.

“Asia’s Luxury Cruise Line”, Dream Cruises delivers the highest level of guest service and spacious comfort in the region via newly launched Genting Dream (November 2016) and the upcoming World Dream (late 2017). Developed for the high-end consumers in China and Asia, Dream Cruises will provide passengers with more choice, comfort and value to create a perfect dream voyage.

Crystal Cruises is “The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line”, having earned more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history. Recently, Crystal has embarked on a significant brand expansion introducing two new classes of cruising – Crystal Yacht Cruises and Crystal River Cruises – and reaching new heights with Crystal Luxury Air and Crystal AirCruises.